US10660452B2 - Protector for furniture having a seat - Google Patents

Protector for furniture having a seat Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US10660452B2
US10660452B2 US16/119,449 US201816119449A US10660452B2 US 10660452 B2 US10660452 B2 US 10660452B2 US 201816119449 A US201816119449 A US 201816119449A US 10660452 B2 US10660452 B2 US 10660452B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
flap
furniture item
protector
arm
seat
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active, expires
Application number
US16/119,449
Other versions
US20200069071A1 (en
Inventor
Nancyann CARTISANO
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
P Kaufmann Inc
Original Assignee
P Kaufmann Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by P Kaufmann Inc filed Critical P Kaufmann Inc
Priority to US16/119,449 priority Critical patent/US10660452B2/en
Assigned to P. Kaufmann, Inc. reassignment P. Kaufmann, Inc. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CARTISANO, NANCYANN
Publication of US20200069071A1 publication Critical patent/US20200069071A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US10660452B2 publication Critical patent/US10660452B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C31/00—Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
    • A47C31/10—Loose or removable furniture covers
    • A47C31/11—Loose or removable furniture covers for chairs

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a protector to be placed over the surfaces of a furniture item having a seat including cushions.
  • the present invention provides a new and improved furniture protector which is securely held on the furniture item and thereby solves the above noted and other problems associated with prior unsecured or less secured furniture protectors.
  • the present invention provides a protector for furniture having a seat which protector is secured in place.
  • a flap which extends downwardly and includes at the bottom thereof, a rod is formed as a cylinder in a loop formed at the bottom of the flap with the cylinder, preferably of a foam material.
  • the protector is placed loosely over the furniture item with the arm and back panels turned inwardly onto the seat panel to expose the junctions where the flaps are attached.
  • the flaps with their rods at their bottoms are then pushed down between the seat cushion and the arm or back of the furniture item to secure the protector in place. This also smoothes out the seat of the furniture item.
  • FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a furniture item having a seat, in this case a sofa, having the furniture protector of the present invention mounted thereon.
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the furniture protector laid out flat and showing the outer surfaces which would be exposed when the furniture protector is in place on a furniture item.
  • FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the furniture protector showing the surfaces which would not be visible when the furniture protector is in place on the furniture item.
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5 - 5 of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional view taken along line 6 - 6 of FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken in the same plane as FIG. 5 but enlarged to better show features of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a protector 11 in use on a loveseat 10 . It is understood that the invention is applicable to any seating furniture having a back and arms including for example a chair, a sofa, a couch of any length, including winged back chairs and recliners.
  • the protector 11 is a single piece of material including a seat panel 12 , a back panel 13 and arm panels 14 and 15 .
  • the back panel and the arm panels are joined to the seat panel at junctions 25 where these panels turn upwardly from the seat panel.
  • the back panel 13 extends up and over the top of the back of the seating furniture and is secured to the seating furniture by an elastic strap 16 which is sewn at one end to the side of the back panel 13 lying over the front of the furniture item and the portion of the back panel located up and over the top of the back of the seating furniture.
  • FIG. 2 shows the protector 11 laid out flat and showing the junctions at which the panels 13 , 14 , 15 join the seat panel 12 and showing the elastic strap 16 connected to the back panel 13 at two locations, one ending up on the front and one on the rear side of the back of the seating furniture.
  • FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the protector of the present invention showing the bottom, i.e., the surfaces which engage the surface of the furniture item. For this reason, the panels are given a subscript a, i.e., 12 a - 15 a .
  • FIG. 3 shows flaps 20 which are connected to the protector on the bottom thereof at the junctions 25 where the seat panel joins the arm and back panels.
  • FIG. 4 there is shown a flap 20 in relation to seat a cushion 22 .
  • the top of the flap 20 is sewn to the protector 11 at a junction 25 between the seat panel and an arm or back panel.
  • the flap 20 extends downwardly for a suitable distance to perform its function.
  • flaps extend approximately 6 to 8 inches. However, this length can vary since it depends on the thickness of the cushions and also whether the flaps should extend down to the bottom of the cushion, i.e., greater than the thickness of the cushion. The length can vary depending on many factors, so long as in a given case it performs its function of securing the seat panel to the furniture item.
  • the flap 20 is enlarged, by a loop with a cylinder passing there through.
  • the loop can preferably be formed by the material of the flap 20 being turned 180° at its lower end and then sewn to itself to form the loop.
  • a cylinder 24 is inserted into the loop to form the rod which anchors in the vicinity at the bottom corner of the cushion where it engages the inside of the arm or back of the furniture item in the area at the bottom of the cushion. So long as the anchoring function is achieved, the rod may be located either at the bottom of the cushion or in the vicinity thereof.
  • the cylinder 24 would preferably be made of a soft material such as foam, often referred to as a “noodle”, although any material could be used.
  • FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the relationship of the cushion 22 , seat panel 12 , arm and back panels 14 and 15 , junction 25 , flap 20 , loop 23 and rod 24 , with FIG. 7 being a view similar to FIG. 6 but enlarged in order to better bring out the relevant details of the present invention.
  • flaps and rod may vary, it has been found suitable to use flaps having a height of 6 to 8 inches and a width of 18 inches.
  • the single piece of material as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 would first have rods with cylinders inserted into the loops of all of the flaps 20 after which the protector would be thrown loosely over the furniture item with the back and arm panels turned inwardly to expose the flaps with their rods which would then be engaged to push the flap and their rods down into the space between the back and arms to a level approximately at the bottom of the cushions. Movement of the flaps in this manner will tend to smooth out the seat and prevents the protector from becoming loose. With the flaps and rods firmly in place, the last step is to drape the arm and back panels up and over the arm and back of the furniture item, respectively, and preferably securing the back panel with the elastic straps 16 , as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the flaps could be of any suitable size, in one preferred arrangement they are 6 to 8 inches in height. They may be formed using a material having a height of 10 inches with the bottom forming a loop so that the height of the entire flap and loop would be approximately 6 to 8 inches, although of course this will vary, depending on the thickness of the cushion.
  • the height of the flap could vary since in practice the flap and rod could accomplish its securing function either at the bottom of the cushion or at a higher point between the cushion and the back and/or the arms of the furniture item.
  • the elastic straps could preferably be secured to the back panel 8 inches from the top thereof and 12 inches from the bottom thereof.

Landscapes

  • Chairs For Special Purposes, Such As Reclining Chairs (AREA)

Abstract

A protector or a furniture item having a seat with cushions, a back and arms. At the junctions of the seat panel with arm and back panels, a flap connected to these junctions extends downwardly to approximately the bottom of the cushions wherein an enlarged loop with a rod therein secures the protector in place.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a protector to be placed over the surfaces of a furniture item having a seat including cushions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known of course to provide a protector to protect the surfaces of furniture items having seats such as a chair, sofa or couch of any length.
Problems associated with prior furniture protectors include shifting from their desired optimal position, or falling off or being inadvertently knocked off the furniture item.
The present invention provides a new and improved furniture protector which is securely held on the furniture item and thereby solves the above noted and other problems associated with prior unsecured or less secured furniture protectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a protector for furniture having a seat which protector is secured in place.
At the junction where a seat panel joins a back panel and/or arm panels, there is provided a flap which extends downwardly and includes at the bottom thereof, a rod is formed as a cylinder in a loop formed at the bottom of the flap with the cylinder, preferably of a foam material.
The protector is placed loosely over the furniture item with the arm and back panels turned inwardly onto the seat panel to expose the junctions where the flaps are attached. The flaps with their rods at their bottoms are then pushed down between the seat cushion and the arm or back of the furniture item to secure the protector in place. This also smoothes out the seat of the furniture item.
Objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description to follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
There follows a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, to be read together with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a furniture item having a seat, in this case a sofa, having the furniture protector of the present invention mounted thereon.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the furniture protector laid out flat and showing the outer surfaces which would be exposed when the furniture protector is in place on a furniture item.
FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the furniture protector showing the surfaces which would not be visible when the furniture protector is in place on the furniture item.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken in the same plane as FIG. 5 but enlarged to better show features of the invention.
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like numerals throughout the several views.
FIG. 1 illustrates a protector 11 in use on a loveseat 10. It is understood that the invention is applicable to any seating furniture having a back and arms including for example a chair, a sofa, a couch of any length, including winged back chairs and recliners.
The protector 11 is a single piece of material including a seat panel 12, a back panel 13 and arm panels 14 and 15. The back panel and the arm panels are joined to the seat panel at junctions 25 where these panels turn upwardly from the seat panel. The back panel 13 extends up and over the top of the back of the seating furniture and is secured to the seating furniture by an elastic strap 16 which is sewn at one end to the side of the back panel 13 lying over the front of the furniture item and the portion of the back panel located up and over the top of the back of the seating furniture.
FIG. 2 shows the protector 11 laid out flat and showing the junctions at which the panels 13, 14, 15 join the seat panel 12 and showing the elastic strap 16 connected to the back panel 13 at two locations, one ending up on the front and one on the rear side of the back of the seating furniture.
FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the protector of the present invention showing the bottom, i.e., the surfaces which engage the surface of the furniture item. For this reason, the panels are given a subscript a, i.e., 12 a-15 a. FIG. 3 shows flaps 20 which are connected to the protector on the bottom thereof at the junctions 25 where the seat panel joins the arm and back panels.
Referring first to FIG. 4, there is shown a flap 20 in relation to seat a cushion 22. The top of the flap 20 is sewn to the protector 11 at a junction 25 between the seat panel and an arm or back panel. The flap 20 extends downwardly for a suitable distance to perform its function. Currently flaps extend approximately 6 to 8 inches. However, this length can vary since it depends on the thickness of the cushions and also whether the flaps should extend down to the bottom of the cushion, i.e., greater than the thickness of the cushion. The length can vary depending on many factors, so long as in a given case it performs its function of securing the seat panel to the furniture item.
At its lower end the flap 20 is enlarged, by a loop with a cylinder passing there through. The loop can preferably be formed by the material of the flap 20 being turned 180° at its lower end and then sewn to itself to form the loop.
A cylinder 24 is inserted into the loop to form the rod which anchors in the vicinity at the bottom corner of the cushion where it engages the inside of the arm or back of the furniture item in the area at the bottom of the cushion. So long as the anchoring function is achieved, the rod may be located either at the bottom of the cushion or in the vicinity thereof.
The cylinder 24 would preferably be made of a soft material such as foam, often referred to as a “noodle”, although any material could be used.
FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the relationship of the cushion 22, seat panel 12, arm and back panels 14 and 15, junction 25, flap 20, loop 23 and rod 24, with FIG. 7 being a view similar to FIG. 6 but enlarged in order to better bring out the relevant details of the present invention.
While the dimensions of the flaps and rod may vary, it has been found suitable to use flaps having a height of 6 to 8 inches and a width of 18 inches.
With these dimensions, there would normally be only one flap for each arm panel and any number of flaps along the back of the seat panel depending on the width of the seat, i.e., whether a chair, a sofa, a couch or a recliner.
In the use of protector of the present invention, the single piece of material as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 would first have rods with cylinders inserted into the loops of all of the flaps 20 after which the protector would be thrown loosely over the furniture item with the back and arm panels turned inwardly to expose the flaps with their rods which would then be engaged to push the flap and their rods down into the space between the back and arms to a level approximately at the bottom of the cushions. Movement of the flaps in this manner will tend to smooth out the seat and prevents the protector from becoming loose. With the flaps and rods firmly in place, the last step is to drape the arm and back panels up and over the arm and back of the furniture item, respectively, and preferably securing the back panel with the elastic straps 16, as shown in FIG. 1.
Although the flaps could be of any suitable size, in one preferred arrangement they are 6 to 8 inches in height. They may be formed using a material having a height of 10 inches with the bottom forming a loop so that the height of the entire flap and loop would be approximately 6 to 8 inches, although of course this will vary, depending on the thickness of the cushion. The height of the flap could vary since in practice the flap and rod could accomplish its securing function either at the bottom of the cushion or at a higher point between the cushion and the back and/or the arms of the furniture item. For a typical furniture item, the elastic straps could preferably be secured to the back panel 8 inches from the top thereof and 12 inches from the bottom thereof.
Although the invention has been described in detail with respect to a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of numerous modifications and variations, apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

The invention claimed is:
1. A protector for a furniture item having a seat with at least one cushion, a back and arms, comprising:
a seat panel configured to cover at least one seat cushion of the furniture item, a back panel configured to cover the back of the furniture item and arm panels configured to cover the arms of the furniture item,
the protector panels having bottom surfaces which in use engage the furniture item and top surfaces which in use face outwardly from the furniture item,
a flap connected to a junction of at least one of the seat panel and back panel and/or the seat panel and the arm panels, the flap being generally flat and extending downwardly from the bottom of said junction,
an elongated rod attached to the lower end of the flap and extending generally horizontally between the inside of the arm and/or back and the at least one seat cushion, the cross section of the rod being such that the rod engages both the at least one seat cushion and the arm or back with sufficient contact to resist movement of the rod upwardly out of engagement with the arm and/or back and the at least one seat cushion in order to secure the protector in place on the furniture item.
2. The protector according to claim 1, wherein the rod is formed by a cylinder within a loop formed in the lower end of the flap securing the cylinder.
3. The protector according to claim 2, wherein the cylinder is formed of a foam material.
4. The protector according to claim 2, wherein a flap is provided for each of the arm and for the back.
5. The protector according to claim 4, wherein the furniture item is wider than a chair and includes a plurality of flaps located along the length of the back.
6. The protector according to claim 1, wherein the flap or flaps are formed by a length of material having said loop formed at its lower end by turning up the material of the flap and the cylinder located in the loop.
7. The protector according to claim 1, wherein the furniture item is a chair and includes a single flap for each arm and for the back.
8. The protector according to claim 1, including an elastic strap securing the back panel to the back of the furniture item.
9. The protector according to claim 1, wherein the flaps are of a size to place the rod in the vicinity of the bottom of the cushion.
10. The protector according to claim 1, wherein the flap is of a size to place the rod above the bottom of the cushion.
US16/119,449 2018-08-31 2018-08-31 Protector for furniture having a seat Active 2038-09-01 US10660452B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16/119,449 US10660452B2 (en) 2018-08-31 2018-08-31 Protector for furniture having a seat

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16/119,449 US10660452B2 (en) 2018-08-31 2018-08-31 Protector for furniture having a seat

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20200069071A1 US20200069071A1 (en) 2020-03-05
US10660452B2 true US10660452B2 (en) 2020-05-26

Family

ID=69641789

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US16/119,449 Active 2038-09-01 US10660452B2 (en) 2018-08-31 2018-08-31 Protector for furniture having a seat

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US10660452B2 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10905248B1 (en) * 2019-10-16 2021-02-02 Hills Point Industries, LLC Sectional sofa cover system
US20210093097A1 (en) * 2019-09-26 2021-04-01 Floppy Ears Design, LLC Furniture Protector System
USD915794S1 (en) * 2020-09-25 2021-04-13 Haihua WANG Long fur sofa cover

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD903379S1 (en) * 2020-08-21 2020-12-01 Shaoxing Huaqin Home Textile Co., Ltd. Sofa cover
USD986642S1 (en) * 2021-03-21 2023-05-23 Shaoxing Versailextex Co., Ltd. Sofa cover
USD1004344S1 (en) * 2022-12-26 2023-11-14 Shenzhen Jinbaixun Technology Co., Ltd Sofa cover

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2086640A (en) * 1934-08-29 1937-07-13 Arthur T Reynolds Upholstered article
US2313878A (en) 1941-04-26 1943-03-16 Gates Mfg Company Universal seat back cover
US2833341A (en) * 1956-09-19 1958-05-06 Samuel A Bornstein Posture cushion for motor vehicles
US3311408A (en) * 1961-10-16 1967-03-28 Maynard C Sarvas Removable upholstery cover for furniture
US5326150A (en) * 1988-09-22 1994-07-05 General Motors Corporation Upholstery fabric
US5547249A (en) 1994-07-01 1996-08-20 Prescient Partners, L.P. Stabilizing device for use with covers and cushions on seating and upholstered furniture
US7431394B2 (en) 2005-08-19 2008-10-07 Neustat Paula S Slipcover with integrated padded and decorative component
US8393675B2 (en) 2009-12-15 2013-03-12 Kevin Swanson Furniture protection systems and method
US8733837B2 (en) 2012-01-20 2014-05-27 Caber Sure Fit Inc. Furniture cover
US20140265483A1 (en) 2013-03-13 2014-09-18 Sure Fit Inc. Furniture Cover with Strap
US9603462B2 (en) 2015-05-18 2017-03-28 Green Point Decor, Llc Anti-slip protective cover
US20170328079A1 (en) * 2016-05-16 2017-11-16 Eithan Wiseman Sealed Cover for Pools with Sealed Sleeves Containing Floating Rods

Patent Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2086640A (en) * 1934-08-29 1937-07-13 Arthur T Reynolds Upholstered article
US2313878A (en) 1941-04-26 1943-03-16 Gates Mfg Company Universal seat back cover
US2833341A (en) * 1956-09-19 1958-05-06 Samuel A Bornstein Posture cushion for motor vehicles
US3311408A (en) * 1961-10-16 1967-03-28 Maynard C Sarvas Removable upholstery cover for furniture
US5326150A (en) * 1988-09-22 1994-07-05 General Motors Corporation Upholstery fabric
US5547249A (en) 1994-07-01 1996-08-20 Prescient Partners, L.P. Stabilizing device for use with covers and cushions on seating and upholstered furniture
US7431394B2 (en) 2005-08-19 2008-10-07 Neustat Paula S Slipcover with integrated padded and decorative component
US8393675B2 (en) 2009-12-15 2013-03-12 Kevin Swanson Furniture protection systems and method
US8733837B2 (en) 2012-01-20 2014-05-27 Caber Sure Fit Inc. Furniture cover
US20140265483A1 (en) 2013-03-13 2014-09-18 Sure Fit Inc. Furniture Cover with Strap
US9603462B2 (en) 2015-05-18 2017-03-28 Green Point Decor, Llc Anti-slip protective cover
US20170156509A1 (en) 2015-05-18 2017-06-08 Green Point Decor, Llc Protective cover with retention straps
US20170328079A1 (en) * 2016-05-16 2017-11-16 Eithan Wiseman Sealed Cover for Pools with Sealed Sleeves Containing Floating Rods
US9863159B2 (en) * 2016-05-16 2018-01-09 Eithan Wiseman Sealed cover for pools with sealed sleeves containing floating rods

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20210093097A1 (en) * 2019-09-26 2021-04-01 Floppy Ears Design, LLC Furniture Protector System
US10905248B1 (en) * 2019-10-16 2021-02-02 Hills Point Industries, LLC Sectional sofa cover system
USD915794S1 (en) * 2020-09-25 2021-04-13 Haihua WANG Long fur sofa cover

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20200069071A1 (en) 2020-03-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10660452B2 (en) Protector for furniture having a seat
US9144318B1 (en) Inflatable, floatable, modular furniture system
US6588840B1 (en) Seat cushion for stadium seats
US2001252A (en) Foldable chair
US8136186B1 (en) Pillow assembly
US20140015295A1 (en) Sofa and chair covers
US3311408A (en) Removable upholstery cover for furniture
US10188220B2 (en) Seat cover with occupant covering feature
US20110215622A1 (en) Chair slip cover
US6659550B2 (en) Upholstery system
US3842456A (en) Upholstered frame means for sofa beds
US3188137A (en) Removable upholstery cover for furniture
US20100148563A1 (en) Catching device for use with upholstered furniture
US20210093097A1 (en) Furniture Protector System
US20190254441A1 (en) Non-slip reversible furniture protector
US20080036254A1 (en) Stretch wing chair cover
US2133747A (en) Resilient sagless support for upholstered furniture
US20150265064A1 (en) Furniture Covers
US2313878A (en) Universal seat back cover
US2878860A (en) Seat construction
US2264491A (en) Davenport
US2875819A (en) Seat construction
US3653712A (en) Furniture unit
US9635945B2 (en) Configurable lounge furnishing
US2818106A (en) Slip covers

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO UNDISCOUNTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: BIG.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

AS Assignment

Owner name: P. KAUFMANN, INC., NEW YORK

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CARTISANO, NANCYANN;REEL/FRAME:046869/0916

Effective date: 20180912

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO SMALL (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: SMAL); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: AWAITING TC RESP, ISSUE FEE PAYMENT RECEIVED

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YR, SMALL ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M2551); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

Year of fee payment: 4